‘Band karo isse’: Ahsan Iqbal’s live TV interview briefly interrupted

Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s live interview was briefly disrupted last night, triggering speculation on social media.

The minister appeared via video link on ARY News’ programme 11th Hour, hosted by Waseem Badami on Thursday night. The show was being broadcast live when the disruption occurred.

While the minister was speaking about possible talks between the government and the opposition, the audio was suddenly interrupted by an unidentified voice shouting, “Shut this”.

Immediately after the remark, the video call was cut off. The unexpected break led the programme host to express concern on air.

“I hope everything is well. I don’t know what just happened,” Badami told viewers at the time.

A short while later, the planning minister rejoined the live programme and reassured the audience that “all was well”.

The brief incident quickly gained attention online, triggering widespread discussion on social media, where many users speculated about possible political reasons behind the interruption.

Tweet by Rizwan Ghilzai (Remembering Arshad Sharif)

In a post on X, the minister wrote: "A brief disruption occurred during a live broadcast when someone nearby having an argument was unaware that I was live on air."

"I rejoined the interview shortly afterward. I hope we can avoid unnecessary politicisation of this."

Tweet by Ahsan Iqbal

Tweet by Attaullah Tarar

However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said: "Yes I also spoke to him. Kids came into the study running unexpectedly. All is well and he has rejoined the show."

Earlier, journalist Ajmal Jami said that he spoke to Ahsan Iqbal. "He said there was a family gathering at his Islamabad residence when children unexpectedly entered his study. He rejoined the show shortly after."